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REPORT 



OF THE COMMISSION 




RAL NATHANIEL LYON. 



Appointed to Improve the Burial 

Place of General Nathaniel 

Lyon at Eastford, Conn. 



The Hall & Bill Printing Company 

Willimantic, Conn. 

1909. 






i. of D« 
stP 30 MM 



To His Excellency, Frank B. Weeks, Governor of Connecticut : 

The undersigned commissioners, appointed by the General As- 
sembly of 1907, for the purpose of expending the sum of $500., for 
"the care, maintenance and improvement of the burial place and mon- 
ument of General Nathaniel Lyon in the Town of Eastford,"' have the 
honor to submit herewith the report of their acts. 

DWIGHT A. LYMAN, 
CHARLES A. GATES, 
H. C. YOUNG, 

Willimantic, Conn., September 15, 1909. 



Inasmuch as the burial place of General Lyon is somewhat iso- 
lated and inaccessable, and that what has been done under the direction 
of the commission, is the first recognition by the state of Connecticut 
of the life and service of General Lyon, coming as it does almost a half 
century after his death; the commission feel that something more than 
a formal report of what has been done is called for, in justice to the 
people of the state, who may never have an opportunity to visit General 
Lyon's burial place and in recognition of the numerous requests from 
people, both in Connecticut and other states for some account of what 
has been done at this late day in recognition of the brave and intrepid 
General who was almost the first of his rank to lay down his life in the 
cause of the Union in the Civil War. 

The commission have acted under Chapter 448 of the Special Acts 
passed by the Legislature of 1907, reading as follows :- 

"Section i.— That the sum of five hundred dollars, or so much 
thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to be paid 
out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, for 
the two fiscal years ending September 30, 1909 ; for the care, main- 
tenance and improvement of the burial place and monument of 
General Nathaniel Lyon in the town of Eastford. 

Section 2. — The moneys appropriated by section one of this 
act shall be expended under the direction of a commission con- 
sisting of D wight A. Lyman of Windham, Charles A. Gates of 
Windham, and Davis A. Baker of Ashford, and the Comptroller 
is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders on the treas- 
urer for amounts not exceeding in the aggregate the amount here- 
in appropriated, on the presentation of itemized vouchers approv- 
ed by said commission." 

Before it was possible to take any steps in the prosecution of the 
work delegated to the commission, Davis A. Baker, the third member 
of the commission, died and the two other members were left with the 
responsibility on them and without the valuable counsel and suggestions 
which Mr. Baker could have given. 

About July 21st the present legislature appointed H. C. Young of 
Windsor to fill the vacancy. 

General Lyon was buried in the Lyon family lot, near Phoenix- 
ville in the town of Eastford, nearly fifteen miles northeasterly from 
Willimantic, and remote from railroad centers, but it was his request 
that he be buried there by the side of his father and mother and his re- 
quest was respected, the funeral being the most notable event of the 
kind, probably in the history of Windham County. 



THE LYON LOT AS THE COMMISSION FOUND IT. 

On an inspection of the place the commission found that the Lyon 
lot was very small, being only twelve by twenty-four feet, the grave of 
General Lyon being in the extreme northwest corner and his monument 
being set exactly in the corner of the lot, directly over the grave. The 
lot was enclosed by a chain fence supported by six heavy stone posts. 
It was entirely occupied by graves, members of the Lyon family, 
all, with the exception of General Lyon's, being marked with the ordi- 
nary slab head and foot stones and nearly all varying in size, material 
and construction. At the east and south of the lot was a grove of pine 
trees, varying in size from one foot to three feet in diameter at the 
ground, the shade and needles from these precluding the possibility of 
maintaining a grass lawn. 




GENERAL LYON BURIAL LOT BEFORE IMPROVEMENTS, SHOWING OLD CANNON. 

Lying in a mass of weeds and bushes on the west side of the lot 
were three cannon which had been secured from the Government 
through the intercession of the late Congressman Charles A. Russell, 
but for what purpose the commission were unable to ascertain. 

It was manifest at the outset that it would be impossible to do any- 
thing worthy of the purpose for which the commission was appointed 



and the appropriation made, without securing more adjacent land, the 
removal of the pine trees and the discarding of the varigated assortment 
of grave marks on the lot. To do this naturally necessitated making 
amicable arrangements with such members of General Lyon's family or 
relatives as might be living and accessable. 

A conference with such relatives as could be reached was held at 
the cemetery, the result being that the relatives, somewhat reluctantly 
gave their consent for the removal of the grave marks and the enlarging 
of the lot. The cemetery association at the same conference agreeing 
to have the pine grove removed, the latter being done during the past 
winter. 

There was sufficient available ground surrounding the small Lyon 
lot, some of which had been used for the burial of later members of the 
Lyon family, which if added to the Lyon lot would make a lot about 
thirty-eight feet square and thus bring General Lyon's monument prac- 
tically in the center of the enlarged lot. At the conference above re- 
ferred to an agreement was reached permitting the commission to take 
in that land, the consideration being that all the grave stones should 
be removed, the commission to substitute in their places granite grave 
marks, all of the same pattern and size, and to bear on the top the 
name and years of the birth and death of the person buried. 

WHAT THE COMMISSION DID. 

The commission has carried out the plan in accordance with the 
agreement above indicated. Nearly the entire cemetery is on a side 
hill and especially that part on which is the Lyon lot; it, therefore, be- 
came necessary to support the fill required to make the enlarged lot 
presentable, with a bank wall about thirty inches high on the east side 
and on the north and south sides as far as was necessary, back about 
one-half the width of the lot. This wall was built with a cobble stone 
face laid in cement with deep pointing, the top of the wall being built 
in parapet form with the same material. 

The three cannon were utilized by placing one each at the north- 
east and southeast corners of the lot, set in the ground with the muzzle 
down; the third cannon was mounted on a native boulder directly in 
front of the General Lyon monument, with the muzzle slightly elevated 
and pointing to the east. 

The enlarged lot was graded with a gentle slope to the east and has 
been seeded, so that, with the shade and needles from the pine trees re- 



moved there seems to be no reason why the lot cannot at all times be 
kept in a neat and attractive appearance. 

The contract for the grading and stone work was let to Ex-Senator 
Monroe F. Latham ofEastford for $275.00. 

It required eleven granite grave marks to replace the old grave 
stones in accordance with the agreement with the Lyon relatives, and 
the contract to furnish and set them, and the cleaning of the General 
Lyon monument was awarded to John Lennon & Son of Willimantic 
for $135.00. 

ONLY A SLIGHT RECOGNITION. 

What it was possible to do with the appropriation of $500. seems 
but a small recognition by his native state for the distinguished service 
rendered to his country by General Lyon; he was a born fighter, as well 
as a courageous and commanding military general, and there were those 
who predicted that, had it not been for his untimely death, he would 
have reached a distinction possibly second to none in the army for the 
Union before the close of the civil war. 




PRESENT RUINS OF GENERAL LYON'S BIRTH PLACE IN EASTF0RD. 

General Nathaniel Lyon was born in the Town of Ashford, Conn., 
July 14, 1818, being the seventh child and fourth son of Amasa and 



.. 



Keziah (Knowlton) Lyon. (That part of Ashford containing the Lyon 
homestead having been taken from Ashford and incorporated as the 
town of Eastford in 1847). From his mother's side of the family he 
inherited a military tendency which characterized both his early and 
later life. 

It is said of him that he showed his predeliction when a school 
boy, by selecting for declamation, pieces of a patriotic and martial 
character, which he delivered with a degree of heartiness and effect that 
attracted universal commendation. 

Lyon graduated at the old brown school house in his native district 
a few months before he entered West Point, and during a part of the 
interim that ensued, he attended the academy at Brooklyn, Conn. 




DISTRICT SCHOOL HOUSE IN EASTFORD FROM WHICH GEN. LYON GRADUATED. 

Woodward's life of General Lyon relates the following incident 
which was said to be characteristic of the boy and later of the man: 

"When Lyon first went to the Brooklyn Academy, several old 
hands at the sport undertook to play upon him the usual practical jokes 
supposed to be essential to initiate new comers into the mysteries of 
such institutions. For a day or two the annoyance was borne without 
apparent notice. Inferring tameness as well as greenness, from the 
quietude of the 'victim,' they ventured beyond the point where for- 



bearance ceases to be a virtue. As the first intimation of a change of 
tactics, two or three found themselves suddenly prostrate, with a pair 
of fists vigorously at work in uncomfortable and dangerous proximity 
to their persons. It is needless to remark that further efforts to ex- 
pedite the cure of 'verdancy' were dispensed with." 

THE BATTLE OF WILSON'S CREEK. 

Early in the war General Lyon was assigned to Missouri, with 
headquarters near St. Louis, and it is said that it was very largely 
through his generalship that Missouri was saved from seceding. The 
battle of Wilson's Creek was the crucial point in that campaign and un- 
til the last charge, led by General Lyon, while weak from wounds and 
loss of blood, there was doubt of the success of the Union forces. It 
was in that charge that General Lyon was killed. Of that charge Wood- 
ward's history of General Lyon has this to say: 

"General Lyon moved along the lines in the thickest of the fight, 
encouraging his men by his example and his words. His horse was 
shot, and he himself received three wounds, one near the ankle, one 
in the thigh, and still another which cut the scalp to the bone, while 
striving to bring up his disordered troops. Anxiety for the issue, how- 
ever, banished every personal thought and care. Upon the fate of the 
battle depended the safety of thousands of peaceful homes whose in- 
mates looked to him for protection from pillage and ruin. 

General Lyon, unconscious of pain or danger, heeded not the 
wounds from which blood and strength were fast oozing. 

Friends urged him to withdraw to a place of safety and have his 
wounds attended to. But to such importunities he turned a deaf ear. 
Mounting another horse, he rode back to the front, in order to rally 
the thinned and bleeding, but not disheartened lines for a fresh attack. 

With countenance blanched from loss of blood, and haggard from 
anxiety, General Lyon threw himself at the head of the column, and 
with hat waving, cheered it onward. Inspired with almost superhuman 
energy by the heroism of their chief, the men rushed forward, scatter- 
ing the enemy like chaff, but in that charge the brave Lyon fell." 

The fatal ball entered his left side, and passing near the heart, 
escaped on the right. His faithful body-servant, Albert Lehman, re- 
ceived him in his arms. The General remarked, "Lehman, I am go- 
ing," and in a few seconds expired, the time being about nine o'clock 
in the morning. 



The official reports of the engagement show the following Union 
losses: Killed 223; wounded 721; missing 292. 

Space does not permit a description of the honors paid to the dead 
General during the long journey from St. Louis to the little hill-side 
cemetery in Eastford. In every city of importance distinguished honors 
were paid him and emblems of mourning were everywhere displayed and 
in several of the larger cities the body laid in state surrounded with all 
the military honors of his rank. 

The funeral services were held in the Congregational church at 
Eastford on September 5, 1861, the body having b^en taken from Willi- 
mantic to Eastford by carriage the previous day. 

At the funeral exercises, Ex-Governor Cleveland was president of 
the day. The historical address, on the life and character of General 
Lyon, was delivered by the late Judge Elisha Carpenter. 

A lengthy oration, eloquently enforcing the lessons of the hour, 
was delivered by Hon. Galusha A. Grow, of Pennsylvania, speaker of 
the National House of Representatives, both of the orators being born 
on the soil of Eastford. 

Speeches were also made by Governor Buckingham of Connecticut, 
Governor Sprague of Rhode Island, Senator Foster of Connecticut, 
Mayor Deming of Hartford and others. 

At the grave the committal service of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church was read by Rev. C. C. Adams; Major Conant and Captain Edgar 
of the St. Louis escort partially filled the grave; and the City Guard of 
Hartford fired three volleys over the grave, while the band played a 
dirge; and thus was the remains of General Lyon laid to rest by the side 
of his honored parents, in accordance with his request that whenever 
or wherever he might die, his body might be interred by the side of 
his parents. 

ACTION BY THE STATE AND NATION. 

The death of General Lyon was looked upon as a great loss, both 
to the state and the nation; this being evidenced by the action of both 
the national congress and state legislature. 

Governor Buckingham, in his message to the General Assembly of 
-Connecticut, convened in special session, October 19, 1861, said: 

• < 'General Nathaniel Lyon, a native of this state, was intrusted by 
Government with the command of a division of Union forces in Miss- 
ouri, and on the tenth day of August last, was killed at Wilson's Creek, 
while leading his column against a force of rebels, in nurnbers three 

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times his superior. He possessed the confidence of his command and 
was highly distinguished for his modesty, energy and undaunted cour- 
age. His remains were brought by a military escort to this state, honor- 
ed with a public reception, and buried in Eastford, his native town, by 
the side of his fathers. The expense incident to the ceremonies will be 
cheerfully met by those who appreciate the services of the gallant soldier, 
unless the state shall claim that privilege. 

His family relatives have presented the sword and belt worn by 
him at the time of his death, as well as his chapeau, to the State, which 
are at your disposal." 

The above section of the Governor's message was referred to a joint 
special committee, which reported the following joint resolution, which 
was passed. 

"General Assembly, Special Session, October, 1861. 

Resolved, that the State of Connecticut accepts the gift of the 
sword, belt and chapeau of the late General Nathaniel Lyon, presented 
by the relatives of that gallant officer, and while she mourns the death 
of a beloved son, who bore so distinguished a part in defense of the 
Constitution and the suppression of rebellion, and who offered his life 
and all that he possessed, on his country's altar, she will cherish the 
sad momentoes withfondest pride, and as she places the sword of Lyon, 
by that of Putnam, would bid her surviving children, emulate their 
deeds and share with them a nation's gratitude. 

That the State of Connecticut shares in the bereavement of the 
afflicted relatives of the lamented deceased, and tenders them her warm- 
est sympathies. 

That the sword, belt and chapeau, as the property of the State, be 
deposited, for safe keeping, with the Connecticut Historical Society, 
and that the Secretary of State be authorized to procure a suitable case 
for the same." 

Congress also saw fit to recognize the great loss to the country in 
the death of General Lyon, by the passage of the following resolution: 

"Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, that Congress deems 
it just and proper to enter upon its records a recognition of the eminent 
and patriotic services of the late Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon. 

The country to whose service he devoted his life will guard and 
preserve his fame as a part of its own glory. 

Second, that the thanks of Congress are hereby given to the brave 
officers and soldiers, who under the command of the late General Lyon, 



sustained the honor of. the flag, and achieved victory against overwhelm- 
ing numbers at the battle of Springfield, in Missouri, and that in order 
to commemorate an event so honorable to the country and to them- 
selves, it is ordered that each regiment engaged shall be authorized to 
bear upon its colors the word 'Springfield,' embroidered in letters of 
gold. And the President of the United States is hereby requested to 
cause these resolutions to be read at the head of every regiment in the 
army of the United States. 

When the resolution was before the Senate for consideration, ad- 
dresses of eulogy were made by Senators Pomeroy of Kansas, and Dix- 
on and Foster of Connecticut/' 

The closing paragraph of Senator Pomeroy's address was as follows: 
-But the hero of that battle (Wilson's Creek) sleeps beside other 
graves, in his dear native valley. He has been literally 'gathered to his 
'fathers.' There need be no monument of granite or marble for him. 
All the way from St. Louis to Connecticut, his remains were honored 
by tributes of respect from a grateful people. I had the melancholy 
pleasure of seeing the almost spontaneous gathering of his old friends at 
Hartford. They honored suitably the noble dead. In that they honor- 
ed themselves. From Hartford to Eastford, where he now sleeps, the 
way was all marked by tokens that were becoming to a returning con- 
queror. The dear old people at home have garnered up his memory: 
it shall be to them as endearing as liberty and life. " 

GENERAL LYONS MONUMENT. 
The monument over the grave of General Lyon is a very pretty 
marble shaft, which, including the base stands about twelve feet high. 
On the face towards the street, or east face, is cut an equestrian 
figure of General Lyon and a shield, and on the top is a dove in the 
act of taking flight. The inscription on the north face is as follows:- 
Born July 14, 1818; Killed in the Battle of Wilson's Creek, Aug. 
10 1 86 1 . On the east face is the name : General Nathaniel Lyon, U. S. A. , 
and on the base is the words "Lyon."' The south face contains the 
battles in which General Lyon was engaged in the Mexican War, as 
follows: Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cheiubusco, Molino Del 
Rav, Chapultepec, City of Mexico. 

' On the west face are the engagements in which he took pait, aside 
from Wilson's Creek, during the Civil War, as follows: Capture of Camp 
Jackson, May 10, 1861; Boonville, June 16, 1 86 1 ; Dug Springs, August 
1, 1861. 

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The monument is entirely appropriate and of sufficient size to 
answer all the requirements of the location. 

If future legislatures will see to it that adequate provisions are 
made for the permanent care of the lot in the Eastford cemetery, which 
can hardly be at the cost of more than ten dollars per year, it will be 
about all that can be expected from the state, so far as his burial place 
is concerned. 

It seems to the commission, however, that the State of Connecticut 
has not yet satisfied its obligation to the feerless and intrepid General 
who was almost, if not the first of his rank to sacrifice his life in the 
cause of human freedom, by making what improvements have been 
made under the directions of this commission. 

We believe that there is a strong feeling about the state, especially 
among the veterans of the civil war, that a substantial and enduring 
monument should be erected on the Capitol grounds at Hartford, and 
the commission is heartily in accord with the recommendation of a form- 
er commission, of which Senator Morgan G. Bulkely was the chairman, 
that action in that direction should be taken by the next legislature. 

In order that the people of the state may have a more comprehen- 
sive understanding of what has been done by the commission, we have 
included in this report several views, showing the condition of the 
General Lyon lot before and after the improvements made under the 
direction of the commission. 

It has also been suggested that General Lyon's birthplace, now in 
ruins, as will be seen by the picture showing its present condition, be 
preserved in some manner so that the place may have some historical 
significance in the future. 

The commission desires to express its appreciation to the "Hart- 
ford Courant" for the loan of the illustrations which appear in this report. 



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